Combination of luque instrumentation with polyaxial screws in the treatment of myelomeningocele kyphosis.

Rigid congenital kyphosis in myelomeningocele is associated with an important morbidity with skin breakdown, recurrent infection, and decreased function. Kyphectomy is the classic treatment to restore spinal alignment; however, surgery is associated with morbidity and long-term complications. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the authors' experience using combination of Luque instrumentation with posterolaterally placed polyaxial screws in the treatment of myelomeningocele kyphosis. From June 1999 to June 2003, 7 patients were treated and followed up for an average of 68.6 months. The average age at the time of the operation was 7 year and 1 month. All patients underwent vertebral excision from just above the apex of vertebral deformity to realign the sagittal deformity. Posterolaterally placed polyaxial screws were used in combination with segmental Luque instrumentation. Kyphotic deformity averaged 104 degrees before surgery, 15.2 degrees after surgery, and 18.5 degrees at the latest follow-up. The average loss of correction was 3.3 degrees. The average blood loss was 611 mL. Complications occurred in 2 of 7 patients were superficial wound breakdown and deep wound infection that required rotational flap closure. Kyphectomy with posterior instrumentation by using Luque technique in the combination with polyaxial screws is reliable method for correcting rigid kyphotic deformity in patients with myelomeningocele. Rigidity of the construct, greater correction capacity, and low profile instrumentation by the help of posterolateral insertion of the polyaxial screws and wiring were the distinct advantages of this technique.